The Perfect Abs?

Just read an article on the perfect abs and how to get them. It was in Muscle and Body (July 2010) and it was by Kim Lyons who is a fitness trainer of some renown. (Was on The Biggest Loser.)

She was answering a question for someone who wants to know how to get fabulous abs.

The overall article was okay, but there were a few problems.
Kim said that the person should get her body fat tested. And then monitor it to see if it is coming down or not.

Then she provided a chart for comparing to various fitness levels.
For example a competitive female competitior would have around 7-9% body fat. Very lean would be under 15%. Average would be 21-25%.

Maybe she was talking about average competitors, because if she was talking about averages in the population she is way off.

Since approximately 35% of the population is overweight and another approximately 30% is obese, the average for the female population is closer to 30% body fat.

Then she says that in order to get your body fat down, you will need a large calorie deficit. Whoops, sorry, but that is not accurate.

As you may have noticed from the previous posts in this blog, it is much more important to lose body fat, then it is to lose weight.

You lose body fat by getting your hormones in alignment, not by having a large calorie deficit.

Kim also talked about training. She mentioned that core exercises are good. But, then she went on to say that “you should be engaging your core muscles every second of the day to help you build a strong and toned midsection”.

Really, every second of the day? Don’t you get to sleep, don’t you get to relax?

Even more, how in the world are you going to focus on engaging your core muscles every second of the day? Don’t you have a job that might take some of your focus away?

Don’t your drive to work or to the store? Don’t you have to focus on driving? Don’t you have friends and family that take some of your focus away from your core muscles?

Maybe you think I am being a nit picker. But, if the goal is to try to help everyone achieve a great body, then the advice that any health, diet or fitness guru gives has to be accurate.

If the average person sees that they have to focus on their core every second of the day, they know they can’t do that. Are they even going to start?

If the average person hasn’t kept up to date on hormones and fat loss, are they going to be thrilled to try a large calorie deficit diet?

No they aren’t. So if you want perfect abs, pay attention to what really works. Pay attention to new research and science.

If you don’t have the time to keep up to date on all of this, then follow someone that does. Like this blog:-)